Play Nice AFL 2017 - R1 - Essendon v Hawthorn, MCG, 7.25pm - Note: drug related posts will result in bans.

[The_Wookie]

 

[puntking]

will be interesting to see how the new hawkes midfield go

 

[Xtreme]

Today's the day where Hawthorn will exact 5+ years worth of pain and suffering on Essendon.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Even after jettisoning Mitchell and Lewis, and minus Hodge, this will be Hawthorn's oldest ever Round 1 team by a fair margin. There's an expectation they'll get the job done against an opponent who might not be a pushover. West Coast in a similar position.

 

[Randomizor]

Hawks by 60+

 

[JT_the_Man]

Bombers by 31

 

[Off The Couch]

will be interesting to see how the new hawkes midfield go

It's going to be a shock I think to see so many new faces out there and whether they've all clicked

 

[PeaTea]

Can't wait to smash these clowns

 

[blitzer]

It will be interesting to see with so many new/returning faces in the 2 sides. There could be a bit of a lack of cohesion from both teams. I expect it will be a match with heavy swings of momentum.

 

[Stevi_Tigers]

if anything worries the hawks its pace and that essendon side has some quick players wouldn't surprise me if they won they will give everything to win in there first game back

 

[HolyWars]

Can't ******* wait!

 

[JayJ20]

Normal footy is back for us! Finally!

Now we can melt like normal supporters if we lose. But hopefully we don't need to melt today.

Smash these campaigners! Go Bombers

 

[rumply]

well this thread is off to a solid start

 

[Off The Couch]

People still running with the drug related jokes. How old are you all?

How about you look at the first bomber post and then take it from there

 

[JT_the_Man]

People still running with the drug related jokes. How old are you all?

We are playing Hawthorn this week, what did you expect?

 

[Jaeger]

Big game for the Bombers.

 

[Suma Magic]

Such a huge comeback game for Roughy.

Other big stories are Jaeger and Tom Mitchell.

 

[JayJ20]

Such a huge comeback game for Roughy.

Other big stories are Jaeger and Tom Mitchell.

Lol

 

[vanders]

Roughy is back, don't really care what else happens

 

[Tiges1229]

Bombers will win I rekon , hoping for a good game. Good to also have Roughead back .

 

[Suma Magic]

Lol

What?

 

[WWSD]

Last year Gunston and Sicily got the number one and number two defenders respectively, now with Roughead and Vickery in the team they'll likely get the third and fourth best making it even harder for opposition teams to defend against them. Throw in Rioli, Breust and Puopolo for good measure.

Good luck to the Essendon defenders when the ball hits the ground inside the Hawthorn forward 50.

 

[Ozzie93]

Looking forward to the commentary than anything else, It's gonna be a ripper!!

 

[BigBen_JRC]

Yes. These are examples of illicit drugs.


If you would like completely non bay like responses then expect sombre and serious condemnation on the the return of convicted drug cheats.
A permanent blight on our great game.

That's fine, I have no real dramas. Just stating what was happening.

 

[fishardansin]

Regards the game, I'm surprised Essendon didn't pick Stewart as 2nd ruck/forward and have Ambrose take Gunston. If Hooker plays deep Daniher will be hard for hawks defenders to stop if he's playing as a lead up half forward, allowing Essendon to play fast. I expect Essendon's KPDs to cover Hawks talls but with a selection of raw skinny kids and old men playing as small/medium defenders I feel that Puopolo, Bruest and Rioli could cut the bombers to shreds if given space.

If Bombers at least break even in the middle and are able to close up space on Hawthorn's small forwards they should be able to control the game. If Hawthorn win stoppages easily and are able to feed the ball to Smith and other speedy mids in space they'll move the ball too quick and have their tall forwards at least drawing marking contests and their small forwards will have enough space to put a winning score on the board.

With both forward lines having an advantage over their opposition, it could be a high scoring game unless both sides fold back significantly.

Essendon by 17. (both sides scoring over 90 points)